One star ingredient that should be on your radar?
Arbutin, a topical ingredient famed for its ability to leave your skin aglow.
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The melanin pathway is essentially the complex process where skin produces pigmentation.
Various skin-brightening ingredients act on different steps of this pathway, Prather explains.
But how do they stack up?
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Vitamin C is an antioxidant that also helps brighten skin.
Pairing arbutin and vitamin C can enhance the potency of each, she says.
Its especially beneficial for patients with sensitive skin, she says.
You may choose to use more than one brightening ingredient in your routine.
Prather suggests pairing arbutin withretinolto enhance skin cell turnover and improve absorption of the product.
You also need to be wary of sun exposure, because that can cause hyperpigmentation in the first place.
If you cant do sunscreen, its not worth spending money on skin-brightening products.
Use arbutin for two to three months before assessing results, says Prather.
Talk to a board-certified dermatologist for help creating the best routine incorporating complementary ingredients for your skin concerns.
For best results, consider combining arbutin with sunscreen to protect against hyperpigmentation.
